2012 NBA Finals: Your Game One Recap

Game One was the first time the MVP and scoring champ have met in the Finals since 1997 and it was a tale of two halves that predicated the final outcome. The Miami Heat outworked the Thunder in the first half, out-positioning their opponents for open looks and playing strong team defense. In the second stanza, Oklahoma seemed to settle their early game jitters, outscoring Miami 58-40 and winning the first battle by a score of 105-94.

Quick Notes

— The Heat stopped attacking the basket for some reason and basically said, “c’mon OKC, it’s yours.” OKC was pretty much giving LeBron whatever he wanted when he went to the cup. ‘Bron should not take a shot within 15 feet in Game 2.

— Spoelstra has to make better adjustments. He got out-coached by Scotty Brooks and, no disrespect to Brooks, but he’s no Phil Jackson. The Thunder took Durant off LeBron. Miami kept Battier and Wade on KD in the fourth and he exploded. Miami has to put ‘Bron on KD. If he does the same thing, at least you can live with that.

— Like Cadet predicted yesterday, Thabo was crucial. He made life for Wade hell all night. He also made LeBron work for whatever he got in the second half. If OKC can keep Sefolosha outta foul trouble this series, they’ve got a great shot.

— LeBron had 23 points through the first three quarters, but only 7 in the final quarter. According to ESPN’s “glass half empty” perspective, he didn’t show up in the fourth. By our dumb math, he averaged 7 points per quarter *shrugs*. In terms of stats, LeBron put on the best performance he’s ever had in three trips to the NBA Finals.

— Wade scored 19 points on 19 shots. Think about that.

— Collison coming over to help Thabo with LeBron was a great strategy. Again, advantage Brooks.

— Russ and KD outscored the entire Miami team 41-40 in the second half. In the fourth quarter alone, the Heat scored 21 as a team while Durant almost single-highhandedly outscored them with 17.

— Also of note, KD scored 36 points in his NBA Finals debut. That’s the second-best debut in NBA history, second only Allen Iverson’s 48 points.

— NorBel played 45 minutes last night. When Miami played Boston Coachin-4-Spo’ said “you can’t get tired” which means “I’ll DEFINITELY lose my job if you rest.” Watch and see if fatigue will finally get to James this series.

man KEVIN did his thing last night. I think they’re going to get a championship this year.. sorry bron bron
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Thabo got some questionable calls in the 3rd too. He missed two dunks, but got four free throws. Chalmers didn’t touch him on one. The other was ticky tack, but whatever. It’s not like Miami made it difficult for them shooting so many jumpers.

Those were the only bad ones that went OKC’s way. You can’t tell me those refs weren’t working hard to get NorBel to the line in the 4th when Miami got within two. He didn’t get the message because Miami kept shooting. Same goes for some of the “fouls” on Wade and Collison wasn’t allowed to play defense down the stretch.

I’m not complaining about the officiating. That’d be taking away from OKC and I’m not trying to do that. I remember a couple of fast breaks where the Thunder got away with steps, but I’m not gonna say that’s why Miami lost. I’m just regular ol’ bias Tins. I know this narrative by now lmfao.

The first one was definitely imaginary, but the second was a good call. Whether the contact was significant or not, you can just stand under the rim waiting to catch someone on the break like a male cheerleader or something…

IDK guys… Miami was ahead for 2 1/2 quarters… They did get blown out by the end, but I think that does say something. Either Miami needs a continued effort, or they need to exploit Thunder’s tendency to play possum til the 3rd and make them regret that strategy (if it is a strategy – they seem to “comeback” an awful lot after keeping it close).

Miami’s early lead didn’t impress me. They had a ridiculous shooting percentage in the first quarter and hit tons of threes, which isn’t always gonna happen. Besides, it doesn’t matter how much you lead if you can’t finish. Looking at D Wade’s face in the 4th quarter I saw someone who was dog-tired, while OKC looked like they could play a 5th if necessary.

I’m thinking that Miami’s just not deep/young enough to keep their squad fresh for this series.

Only reason Miami was ahead was because Battier and Chalmers were shooting crazy from the 3 in the first. Once the second half came thru, they went ice cold. Udonis Haslem was a non factor in the game to. 10 boards is good, but only 4 points in 29 minutes? go head moe smfh.

And Imma go ahead and call D.Wade out for his performance last night. When you are the type of scorer D.Wade is, 19 points aint just cutting, especially when you known to kill it in the finals. Iunno if his knee injury is really affecting him that bad, but son needs to come thru consistently in this series. Shit he pulled off against the Pacers and Celtics aint gonna fly against OKC. Imo all the Heat really need to do is take one in OKC, cuz they really are a different animal in home. Only way they gonna do that is start Bosh and tell him to cool it on the 3s and hope one of his players come up on Westbrook, cuz they aint stopping KD.

But if your Miami, you have to be worried about squandering such gifts from Battier and Chalmers early. They were uncharacteristically hot (while OKC was still a bundle of nerves, no less). What happens when your role players don’t overachieve, or the Thunder come out blazing (both likely scenarios)? To go up 13 only to eventually lose by 11 is quite a swing.

Nice to see Lebron (attempt to) carry the offensive load in the fourth. You could tell homie had a chip on his shoulder. He wasn’t shying away from this one. But Thabo made him work HARD. And for that reason, he gets the game ball IMHO. Played the best defense you could possibly hope for on Lebron down the stretch. At that defense was the fuel to KD’s fire. Missed dunks forgiven.

Speaking of Durant, man he looked so effortless. Him and Westbrook truly seemed to feed off of each other, while Lebron/Wade seemed more decisive as to one or the other taking control instead of letting the flow of each possession dictate. But home court may have alot to do with that..

Westbrook was cooking Wade last night though. That’s why Miami started the 4th with Bron on him. Russie got them back in the game pretty much attacking the basket. Then KD told him, “Good look homie. I got it from here.”

You’re right smh D Wade is severely slacking. Idk if it’s the injuries or what but ever since LeBron’s come to Miami D Wade has gotten progressively worst. This is the Finals he can’t have these young cats cranking him like that.

Am I the only one that thinks that the Eastern Conference is just plain weaker than the Western Conference as a whole ? While there isn’t much of a question that Miami is the best team in the east, I don’t think they could hold up against the top five seeds in the west this year, (not to mention the mavs). The heat can’t match the intensity the thunder has, especially at home, but they might be able to get a win at home. 4-1 okc . Final answer .

I have always liked Wade – until his sound/video bite early on in the game about being a second/third option. Something about LeBron being the best player in the NBA. He said it so matter-of-factly, it actually made me dislike dude. Like, what planet are you living on? One of the best? No question. THE BEST?

Nope.

And if you think he is, perhaps that is why you probably will not win a championship this year.